The Shanghai Astronomical Museum is located at the summit of Sheshan in Songjiang, with free admission to the Sheshan Park. It was originally the Sheshan Observatory, established in 1900 by French Catholic missionaries. The museum showcases the history of astronomical telescopes and the development of Chinese astronomy, displaying various astronomical scientific equipment, with the highlight being the century-old 40 cm refracting telescope, known as the museum’s treasure.
The museum is not large but is divided into three main exhibition areas: ‘A Hundred Years of the Observatory’, ‘Focusing on Telescopes’, and ‘Time and Humanity’. These areas detail the development of modern astronomy in China, the evolution of astronomy led by the invention of telescopes for four centuries, and the history of time measurement and its relationship with human society and life, making it an ideal place for children to broaden their knowledge.
In addition, the museum provides detailed accounts of the achievements of astronomers such as Xu Guangqi, Matteo Ricci, Cai Shangzhi (the first director of Sheshan Observatory and a French missionary), Gao Pingshu, and Li Xing, while also exhibiting the invention, introduction to China, and establishment of astronomical telescopes in Shanghai. The museum is open year-round from 08:30 to 15:30.
Preferential policies include: Children under 1.3 meters (not including) must be accompanied by an adult, free of charge; children 1.3 meters (including) and under 18 years old, discounted; disabled individuals with valid identification, free of charge; active-duty military personnel with valid identification, free of charge; martyr’s families with valid identification, free of charge; retired cadres with valid identification, free of charge; seniors aged 70 (including) and above, discounted; full-time students, discounted.
Shanghai Astronomical Museum
The Shanghai Astronomical Museum is located at the summit of Sheshan in Songjiang, with free admissi[...]
